Now that spring is here, travelers are coming to the City of Light in droves in order to experience that famous Parisian springtime. Lounging along the banks of the Seine seems to be a perennial favorite, but the Seine is not the only body of water in town. In fact, Paris boasts several canals that can be navigated by boat — a charming way to discover the city from a whole new perspective.
Starting May 1, 2014, a company called Marin d’Eau Douce will offer rentals of small electric boats that visitors can use on the canals. Thanks to the small size of the boat, no permit is required in order to drive it. Starting at the Villette basin (le Bassin de la Villette), boats can travel on the Canal Saint Martin, the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Canal Saint Denis.
Because the boats are electric, they are better for the environment and do not generate any noise or fumes. What’s more, the electricity used to power the boats is taken from renewable sources, making this experience a completely sustainable one. Boats can be rented for one hour, two hours, three hours, a half day or a full day. The vessels can hold a maximum of five to eleven people, depending on the boat.
Guests staying at the Hôtel Louvre Marsollier can take advantage of their spring- or summertime visit by sitting back and calmly navigating one of these handy electric boats.
For those who are unsure of where to take the boat, Marin d’Eau Douce provides suggested itineraries according to length of time the boat is rented out. The itineraries include sights to be seen, and the longer ones even include leisurely breaks in a scenic park. Rental prices start at €40 for one hour on a five-person boat and go up to €280 for the whole day (eight hours) on an eleven-person boat.